Doctor insights on:
Foods To Help Broken Bones Heal Faster

1

Varies:
There are not really any foods we know that help bones heal faster. We do know some things that can potentially delay bone healing including nicotine products and medications that inhibit inflammation (inflammation is a part of bone healing and so to block it delays bone healing). Good question.
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A fracture is a broken bone. As there is cartilage at the end of many bones at the joint, a fracture may also include a break in the cartilage. Fractures and broken bones are the same thing. It seems that many believe that a "fracture" is a lesser injury or an incomplete break in the bone, but this is not correct. Fractures may be displaced or non-displaced, stable or unstable.
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4

Just as strong:
Fractured bones, in an otherwise healthy, well-nourished person should heal uneventfully if the fracture is reduced and immobilized adequately for enough time to allow healing. The strength of the healed bone should be essentially equal to the strength before the injury occurred.
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5

Yes. I believe its -:
Due to the skin cells under a cast or a splint, which accumulate under the cast/splint, causing itching. Normally without such covering, the skin cells fall off, during normal activities. After the fx heals and cast is removed, with normal washing, the skin cells are removed, so itching decreases in a few days.
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6

Yes:
Fractures can heal when someone is in a coma. However, people who are bedridden permanently or for long periods of time may often develop weakening of the bones, and often times have other co-morbid problems that accompany their comatose state, like certain nutritional deficiencies that might make them more prone to have fractures.
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11

Orthopaedic eval:
Broken bones can be addressed in many ways. Most fractures take about 6 wks to heal. Non-displaced fractures usually require immobilization. Displaced fractures require closed (manipulation) or open reduction (surgery). Fractures involving the joint surface often require surgical fixation. See a board certified orthopaedic surgeon for x-rays and treatment.
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12

Be compliant:
It is good to be active in general, and there is really not any fracture you can have that can totally make you not able to exercise shirt of some type of spinal injury, but you need to be compliant to make sure your activity level does not cause a poor outcome with your break. Check the specifics of your case with your doctor, then exercise on within your specific restrictions.
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14

Varies:
It varies somewhat. Sometimes, because of the increased bone growth to heal the fracture, the bone can actually be stronger. In perfect scenario, bone heals to the exact alignment and strength it was previously. Good question.
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15

Pain upon palpating:
Localized pain in the affected are associated to loss of function and edema or swelling. Persistent pain in an injured bony area despite usual conservative treatment with r.I.C.E. (rest, immobilization, cold compresses, elevation of the area).
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16

Depends:
Fractures that involve the joint surface may increase chances of arthritis and joint stiffness. Fractures can take longer to heal (delayed union), may heal in poor position (malunion), or may not heal at all (nonunion). All of these issues can have numerous sequelae. If you have a question about any of these, ask a more specific question.
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18

Varies:
Some fractures can heal just fine without any care. Others may not heal (non Union) or heal in a bad position leading to a poor outcome (malunion), depends on the specific fracture.
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19

Depends:
You may not need anything or you may need one or more of the following: crutches, cast, a brace, or surgery. Its unclear as to what type of fracture you are experiencing. Discuss with your orthopedist.
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20

They do:
Plain films, also known as "x-rays", are the test of choice to evaluate someone for fractures or broken bones. If the fracture is complicated, not well seen, or more detailed information is desired for some other reason, then the next line of choice is a ct scan which provides more accurate details.
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21

It varies:
Fractures (broken bones) are caused by different degrees of trauma, and also injure the soft parts around the bone to some extent: muscles, ligaments, joints, skin. To break several bones at once involves more energy (more severe injury), often involving other body parts (belly, chest, etc). If the fractures are open, it can delay bone healing (infection, more bone damage. It may take 6-12 months.
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22

Varies:
It really varies based upon the specific nature of the fracture and also whether or not there were any other components to the injury. A very general thumb is that many fracture heal over 6-8 weeks and are reaching full recovery from many fractures by 12-16 weeks. This is certainly a generalization and many fractures do not fall within this, discuss the specifics of your case with your doctor.
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23

Yes:
If you're a healthy child or adult, with no vitamin or mineral deficiencies, most fractures actually heal stronger at the break site than they were before the fracture. The new bone, called callus, once hard, is often some of the strongest bone in the body.
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24

Varies:
Varies completely based upon specific nature of fracture and characteristics of the patient. Among possibilities: observation, cast or splint, closed reduction followed by cast or splint, closed reduction with internal fixation, and open reduction and internal fixation to name a few; also im rod fixation and external fixation as well.
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25

Splinting:
Anything long and stiff can be made into a splint to hold broken bones stable. Books, brooms, and cardboard boxes have all been used. Sometimes it is just as easy to leave the bones in place and not move it at all. Splinting should also be done without moving the current position of the broken bone, even if it looks odd. In some cases, straightening can cause damage.
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28

Not directly:
However, some meds, especially prednisone, can increase the risk of osteoporosis and subsequent fracture. Also inflamed joints that are not used normally can lead to localized osteoporosis or muscle atrophy which again can increase fracture risk.
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Bone is a living growing tissue made mostly of collagen (protein that provides soft framework) & the mineral calcium phosphate that adds strength & hardens the framework. Two types of bone are found in the body; cortical (dense compact outer layer) & trabecular (makes up inner layer, is spongy honeycomb-like structure).
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